Help with FX Loop Signal Issue – PS-2A Line Out Not Sending to IR Loader When Using FX Return

Stage & Studio Power Station PS-2
1

Hi all,

I’m integrating the Fryette Power Station PS-2A into a modular preamp rig and have encountered a signal routing issue when trying to use the FX Return + Line Out setup. I’m hoping someone might be able to clarify what’s going on or suggest a workaround.

Setup Summary:
I’m using the PS-2A purely as a power amp, running modular preamps (pedal-based units) into the FX Return.

The Amp In is left unconnected.

The Speaker Out goes to a cab for monitoring.

The Line Out or FX Send is intended to feed a Two Notes Opus IR loader for silent capture.

The Issue:
When I plug a preamp into the FX Return, I get a healthy signal to the cabinet, but nothing at all from the Line Out or FX Send — so my IR loader receives no signal.

The twist:
If I partially insert the speaker cable into the Speaker Out (just enough for contact, but not fully seated), the Line Out starts sending signal to the Opus.
Fully inserting (or removing) the speaker cable causes the Line Out to fall completely silent again.

This appears to be some kind of internal sensing or relay switching related to the Speaker Out jack—perhaps designed to prevent Line Out from being active without a load?

Additional Testing:
Running my Fender ’59 Bassman into Amp In (traditional amp use), everything works fine—signal reaches both the cab and Line Out.

So the PS-2A’s FX Loop and Line Out behave as expected when the full amp circuit is used.

The problem arises when feeding modular preamps directly into the FX Return—which is necessary due to the insufficient level when entering via Amp In.

What I’m Trying to Achieve:
Run modular preamps into the FX Return.

Power a cab using the PS-2A’s power amp stage.

Simultaneously send signal from Line Out to a Two Notes Opus IR loader.

Avoid using Amp In, as it introduces level mismatches and signal degradation.

Avoid unsafe practices like half-inserting cables (currently the only way I can get signal to Line Out).

My Questions:
Is there a jack normalization or sensing mechanism on the Speaker Out that disables the FX Loop output under certain conditions?

Is the Line Out path broken when Amp In is unoccupied or certain internal relay conditions aren’t met?

Is there any safe workaround to enable signal to flow from FX Return → Power Amp → Line Out with a proper speaker load connected?

I’ve read the manual in detail, and while the FX Loop block diagram is helpful, it doesn’t clarify this particular interaction.

Thanks in advance — really appreciate any insight the community can offer. I really hope I don’t have a faulty unit. It just arrived yesterday!

– Adam

2

This is to be expected.

The correct way of connecting a preamp to the Power Station is using the Line In not the FX return.

The Line In is before the FX return in the signal path. This makes sense so that you can use the Power station with any FX you want to put in the loop.

The purpose of the Line Out is to provide you your raw guitar amplifier signal at a line level so you can run that into a DAW or other device an use IRs.

The speaker out has open load protection, meaning that the Power Station own tube amp power stage will be locked in standby until a speaker is connected.

It’s a bit hard to follow but here is the internal signal path.

Block_Diagram__PS2SR__85230 (2)
Block_Diagram__PS2SR__85230 (2)1280×1216 250 KB

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Thanks, Dan. That’s very helpful. So, I’m now running my Tone King Imperial preamp into the line in; getting a healthy signal to my cabinet. Still, nothing to the Opus which is receiving the line out. I tried putting in a 12db boost via an old DBX rack I had in storage, and, it’s just boosting noise; no actual signal. I have nothing else plugged into the powerstation. Again, the line out does work when using the amp in via an actual amplifier line out.

4

just figured out the fx send works to feed the opus signal. That’s a usable solution. Still, perplexing that the line out only operates with amp in, not with a preamp going into the line in.

5

Just following up after looking more closely at the block diagram—can now see that the line out is only tapped from the amp In path, not from the line in. So that explains why I’m getting nothing from it when running a preamp into Line In. It’s not a level issue—it’s just not connected internally.

The FX send does work for sending signal to the Opus, so I’ve got a usable solution. Still, a bit frustrating—I get why the unit is designed this way for amp head capture, but it does feel like a bit of a logical gap when using the Power Station as a modular power amp with preamps. Would have been nice to see Line In routed to Line Out as well.

Appreciate the help—at least I understand what’s going on now.

cheers, Adam

6

Oh I was just writing to you.

OK good.

Yes, I know what you mean. In context it all makes sense and is the logical choice. I ran into a similar confusion when I was new to the unit. I think we need to redraw this internal signal path and highlight the actual path that is followed in a few different scenarios.

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